Hare Krishna

Hare Krishna is a Hindu new religious movement which was founded on 13 July 1966 by A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, an Indian religious leader who was based in New York City. Bhaktivedanta wanted to bring Krishna awareness to the West, and the movement's sacred text was the Bhagavad Gita (which they believe is the literal word of Krishna), while its sacred was the Krishna, their Supreme Lord. Members of the movement chant and meditate as a means of worshipping, as they see these means as bringing them closer to God. After Bhaktivedanta died, the faith went through several transitions and conflicts between the leaders, but it maintained its following in the United States and elsewhere. Hare Krishnas often distribute Gitas at airports, and the movement grew to have 10,000 temple members and 250,000 congregational devotees and 350 centers around the world.